Gigas Grow Out Thread

[DeniseAndy]

I am soooo mad. Been growing my giga nicely for past 4 years + and left for vacation for 16days. Came home to it completely shrunk up. The sitters wouldn't have noticed it, but I am guessing my copperband picked at it. However, sadly, the copperband is no where to be found. Uggggggh. Could have been worse I guess.

The clam is not dead though. I moved it super high in the tank to get tons of light and I hope it recovers. Very little chance, but a chance. Sooo upset.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I am soooo mad. Been growing my giga nicely for past 4 years + and left for vacation for 16days. Came home to it completely shrunk up. The sitters wouldn't have noticed it, but I am guessing my copperband picked at it. However, sadly, the copperband is no where to be found. Uggggggh. Could have been worse I guess.

The clam is not dead though. I moved it super high in the tank to get tons of light and I hope it recovers. Very little chance, but a chance. Sooo upset.

Not sure if your clam has a pinched mantle but if it does, consider FW dip if its not too far gone

 

[MartinM]

I am soooo mad. Been growing my giga nicely for past 4 years + and left for vacation for 16days. Came home to it completely shrunk up. The sitters wouldn't have noticed it, but I am guessing my copperband picked at it. However, sadly, the copperband is no where to be found. Uggggggh. Could have been worse I guess.

The clam is not dead though. I moved it super high in the tank to get tons of light and I hope it recovers. Very little chance, but a chance. Sooo upset.

Oh no, keep us updated.

FWIW, I always put (multiple) webcams around my tanks whenever I leave! And at least the copperband seems to have offed itself over the guilt of harassing your clam, saves you the trouble of trying to catch it. No fish is more important than clams!

 

[Shirak]

I am soooo mad. Been growing my giga nicely for past 4 years + and left for vacation for 16days. Came home to it completely shrunk up. The sitters wouldn't have noticed it, but I am guessing my copperband picked at it. However, sadly, the copperband is no where to be found. Uggggggh. Could have been worse I guess.

The clam is not dead though. I moved it super high in the tank to get tons of light and I hope it recovers. Very little chance, but a chance. Sooo upset.

Do you have any photos? Any sign of improving?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Not yet. I saw yesterday and it had not shrunken any more, but no chance to check today.

EDIT: Just checked on it and it looks like it may have more extension today than yesterday. Still about an inch or more back from top of shell, but not dead yet.

Fingers crossed....

 

[MartinM]

Not yet. I saw yesterday and it had not shrunken any more, but no chance to check today.

EDIT: Just checked on it and it looks like it may have more extension today than yesterday. Still about an inch or more back from top of shell, but not dead yet.

Fingers crossed....

It couldn't hurt to dose some AB+ and/or phyto or similar to provide an energy source while it's retracted!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Update...
Well, when I returned from vacation, the insides of my giga were receded back over 2" from the edge of shell. Today, it is only receded about 1/2" from edge of shell. It is coming back!!!!

I have never seen a clam do this in the past. So happy. I hope it continues to recover. I would get pictures, but it is in a place that is difficult for that.

So happy right now.

 

[MartinM]

Clams are tough, I thought it’d be fine

 

[OrionN]

@DeniseAndy
How is the Gigas now. Hope he recovered already. Give us the good news. And pictures please

 

[OrionN]

Covid messed up my tank and kill my Gigas (through neglect) I started to get my tank back in shape and have since acquired another Gigas. He was not 100% heathy on arrival but u have since improved under my care and is growing well.

 

[DeniseAndy]

IT is still recovering, but doing okay. Not fully extended yet, but getting there. I think I may actually put a frag rack really high up and put him on it. I hate those in my system, but if it will help keep it away from aiptasia, nems and more light, I can survive.

Thanks for asking. I am just happy it is still with me. I will get pictures if I can.

FYI, I got a baby giga from Biota for my traveling tank. I get to show kids the baby and then show them what it grows into. They will love it!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Just took a pic with phone. My lights are just coming on. Still recovering, but it seems to be growing shell still. Crazy. Oh, Mine has always been more pinkish with blue dots in pictures. Let me find one of a long time ago.

Today

March 2022

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Just took a pic with phone. My lights are just coming on. Still recovering, but it seems to be growing shell still. Crazy. Oh, Mine has always been more pinkish with blue dots in pictures. Let me find one of a long time ago.

Today

March 2022

Wow this is a unique one. Have you tried FW dip on it before? Also does it get good flow over the mantle.

 

[DeniseAndy]

No. I am leaving it alone just giving more light and nothing stinging it. It has come back a lot. Too bad I do not have a pic when I got home.

I am pretty sure the copperband was the issue as it is gone and clam is recovering slowly.

 

[OrionN]

Nice. It look stressed but if it is improving, that is great
Mine with my Mandarin pair.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

May 4, 2023

Today: July 5, 2023

 

[wjgeese]

May 4, 2023

Today: July 5, 2023

ok so you're not going to post pics of those squamosas on the edge and not give us a full shot of those beauties are you???

 

[Macdaddynick1]

ok so you're not going to post pics of those squamosas on the edge and not give us a full shot of those beauties are you???

Haha, here you go. My gigas have a long way to go .

 

[wjgeese]

BEAUTIES! How big is the blue one? where'd you get it? I lost 7 blue squam a couple years ago to a ritteri anemone that got shredded. made me cry! all were about 4 to 6"..
one was 8"

 

[Macdaddynick1]

BEAUTIES! How big is the blue one? where'd you get it? I lost 7 blue squam a couple years ago to a ritteri anemone that got shredded. made me cry! all were about 4 to 6"..
one was 8"

Honestly, i've never measured them, I would say they're both over 1 foot. I got it brown from a guy who was breaking down his tank. But, recently, I saw Biota selling small ones for $100. I was very tempted to buy a couple.